Druzhba Pipeline Disruption Paralyzes Industry: Exporters Sound the Alarm

Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline have been disrupted since January 27, 2026, after the pipeline was damaged by military operations in Ukraine. This is a serious test for Slovakia, whose sole refinery, Slovnaft, has long been dependent on this raw material. The Slovak Exporters' Council warns that the prolonged outage threatens not only production but also the competitiveness of Slovak companies in international markets.

Exporters: A Clear Plan is Lacking

The Slovak Exporters' Council (RSE) expressed "serious concerns about the development of oil supplies to Slovakia" and pointed out the lack of binding information on the next steps. According to the RSE, the current uncertainty complicates production planning, contract negotiations and pricing - both in domestic and international markets.

Exporters are appealing to the Ministry of Economy to adopt "clear, effective and long-term measures" to ensure price stability and security of supply. "Stable and affordable supplies of strategic raw materials are a key prerequisite for maintaining Slovakia's export performance," the RSE said in a statement. According to exporters, the Croatian route via the Adria pipeline is only a temporary patch - its capacity and infrastructure limitations do not allow it to replace the long-term and reliable supply from Druzhba.

First Ever State of Oil Emergency

The Slovak government responded on February 18 by declaring a state of oil emergency - the first in the country's history. The cabinet approved the release of up to 250,000 tons of oil from state reserves in the form of a loan to Slovnaft. The refinery consumes 7,300 to 7,500 tons of raw material per day and had its own reserves for about half a week before the emergency was declared.

Slovakia's total strategic reserves amount to 816,000 tons, which corresponds to coverage for approximately 90 days. Slovnaft's management has assured the public that there is no risk of fuel shortages on the Slovak market - however, the refinery has temporarily suspended diesel exports to Ukraine and limited other export activities to secure the domestic market.

Seven Tankers En Route, Adria as a Stopgap

Slovnaft has ordered seven tankers of crude oil from Saudi Arabia, Libya, Kazakhstan and Norway, which are heading to the Croatian port terminal in Omišalj. It is estimated that it will take 20 to 30 days to fully pressurize the Adria pipeline. At the same time, tanker transport is significantly more expensive, which is directly reflected in fuel prices and the production costs of Slovak industry.

EU Reassures, Brussels Plans Russian Oil Ban

The European Commission convened an oil coordination group on February 25 and stated that neither Slovakia nor Hungary currently face an immediate threat to energy security, as the alternative route via the Adriatic Sea remains functional. At the same time, Brussels is working on a proposal for a permanent ban on imports of Russian oil, which is to be presented in April 2026 - which means further pressure on Slovakia and Hungary to accelerate the diversification of supplies.

Beginning of March: Light at the End of the Pipeline?

Prime Minister Robert Fico said that Ukraine had confirmed the resumption of supplies via Druzhba no earlier than the beginning of March 2026. Kyiv also offered an alternative transit via the Odesa-Brody route, but the conditions of this solution remain the subject of negotiations. According to estimates, the annual damage from the supply disruption could reach up to 500 million euros. Approximately nine million tons of Russian oil flow annually through the Druzhba pipeline to refineries in both countries - every day without supplies thus costs Slovak industry money. While diplomats negotiate and technicians repair, exporters are waiting for the beginning of March with the hope that Druzhba will finally start running.